Study Abroad

Rights and Responsibilities in Study Abroad Planning

Students

  • Fully research study abroad programs offered to students;
  • Meet all deadlines;
  • Pay for and budget all student fees required to study abroad;
  • Disclose disability-related condition(s) in a timely manner within the planning process to study abroad;
  • Recognize that accommodations planning requires extra preparation time; and
  • Request your accommodation letter be sent to your OISP advisor (Complete Accommodation Request Form)
  • Initiate discussion or communicate needs to DAS, study abroad coordinator, and host institution—these offices will be unaware of any questions or concerns unless they are brought to their attention.

DAS

  • Ensure the student's right to confidentiality regarding disability-related issues;
  • Review student's documentation and determine appropriate accommodations for study abroad;
  • Advise student on what disability-related implications need to be worked out or addressed prior to and while in chosen host country; and
  • Make any recommendations to the study abroad advisor regarding student needs.

Unit Sponsoring Study Abroad

  • Assist in the articulation of any student accessibility issues with host institution;
  • Ensure the student's right to confidentiality regarding disability-related issues;
  • Answer questions students might have regarding the registration and planning process for study abroad; and
  • Consult with OAS when necessary to obtain answers or feedback for any disability-related questions.

Study Abroad Considerations

The following considerations are identified to help prospective study abroad students with disabilities identify any implications needing troubleshooting. Additional considerations might emerge as the following are being addressed. Prospective study abroad students with disabilities should consider the following factors (additional considerations might emerge as each factor is addressed):

Preliminary Communication

  • Meet with an academic advisor to discuss how study abroad can fit into your academic track.  When is the optimal time to participate in study abroad?
  • Begin to develop a plan of action for researching the host institution and country of interest. Consider attending preliminary sessions offered by the Study Abroad Office.
  • Any type of communication to parents is the student's responsibility. Study abroad and DAS cannot disclose any information to them.

Timeline

Regardless of the nature or type of disability, the student should allocate a minimum of 6 months to start planning with a study abroad advisor. Waiting too long to start planning might not provide enough time to have accommodations arrangements and procedures identified prior to departure date.

Overall physical, attitudinal and cultural access in your chosen country

  • Research as much as possible about the country(ies), city(ies), and host university(ies) of interest. Cultural interpretation of disability is different in other regions. Consider causality, valued/devalued attributes, and anticipated roles. Is there disability-related governmental legislation?
  • How does the chosen host culture(s) define disability? How will questions about disability be answered? This information may provide an idea of how receptive a particular host institution will be with providing accommodations. Level of independence might change between Emory and a host country, therefore more accommodations might be necessary. This does NOT mean that independence is lost, rather, this is another way of doing things.

International Transportation Needs

Airline Transportation

Public Transportation - Host Country

  • It is imperative to find out if there are any accessible transportation resources or community support within a host country.
  • What kinds of travel accommodations will be required during travels within the city as well as between destinations?
  • Will covering costs of private taxis be feasible, when necessary, due to inaccessible public transportation?

Financing of Accommodations

  • Are there extensive financial costs involved with accommodations needs, and if so, how will these costs be supported?

Auxiliary Aids or Assistive Devices

  • Are replacement parts for auxiliary aids going to be to be readily available in the event damage occurs?
  • Is there access to agencies or professionals who can repair auxiliary aids, if necessary?

Service Animals

  • Are there any laws in the host country which support service animals? If not, how will this impact access?
  • Are there veterinary services available in the host city? If so, where are they located? Is it conveniently accessible?
  • What are the airline regulations for service animals traveling abroad?
  • Is there a Quarantine Period for Service Animals to or from your host country?
  • NCDE provides specific information about Guide Dogs and Service Animals While on International Exchange.

Housing and Living Situations

  • What options are available through the program(s)?
  • Are the room dimensions physically accessible to individual needs?
  • What are the sleeping arrangements like?
  • Are there accessible bathroom and shower facilities within any of the housing options? If not, what can be done to address these accessibility issues?

Activities of Daily Living

  • How are needs going to be met if personal care assistance is required for activities of daily living such as meal preparation, grooming, dressing, restroom assistance, or laundry assistance? Are there agencies available to assist in the hiring process for personal care assistance in the host country?
  • How will costs with personal care assistance be covered?
  • MIUSA provides information on Personal Assistants on International Exchange Programs and the Personal Assistant Checklist.

Curriculum

  • Be aware of the nature of required coursework.
  • Will there be multiple choice or essay exams?
  • Are classes project-driven or exam-driven?
  • How much reading is involved?
  • Will document conversion be required and available?
  • What is the specific duration of the program of interest? How many classroom hours are required?
  • Are library resources accessible? If not, what can be done to provide access?
  • How will class work be evaluated, and what are the usual methods of instruction (i.e., lecture, seminar, tutorial, lab, discussion)?
  • Are the course materials that are audio or visual in format (e.g., videos, films) accessible to you (e.g., captioned videos)?

Activities Outside the Classroom

  • While studying abroad, there will likely be times when students have to complete curriculum activities or assignments outside the classroom for graded credit, or there might be free time on weekends when students can travel. Thinking critically about how accommodation needs may differ outside the classroom is needed.
  • Will mobility assistance for these activities be required? If so, who will be available to assist?
  • What are the overall conditions of the public sidewalks and pavement of streets?
  • Will students be required to stay in housing different from a permanent assignment for any outside activities? If so, is the alternative housing accessible?

On-Campus Disability Support Services at Your Host Institution

  • Does the host college or university have a disability services office, or a point of contact designated to address accommodations needs?

Access to Additional Support Services (Counseling And Medical)

Counseling

  • Investigate what resources are available through the host institution as well as any community resources to address medical, psychological, and/or informational support.
  • Mobility International provides comprehensive information regarding psychiatric disabilities and international study in their document, Mental Health-Related Disabilities: Considerations for Exchange Participants.

Healthcare Coverage

  • Check provision of Medicare and/or Medicaid, or primary medical insurance provider, about coverage abroad, and discuss any needs for covering pre-existing medical conditions.

Prescription Medications

  • How will refills of prescription medications be handled, especially if they are stimulant medication? Be sure to check whether prescribed medication is legal and available within a chosen host country. Contact the nearest consulate or embassy for the host country to inquire whether your medication is considered a controlled substance and to seek guidance on the best way to proceed. For assistance locating the nearest consulate, consult your OISP advisor.
  • Always carry medication in carry-on luggage in the event checked luggage is delayed or lost.
  • Medication should be stored in their original containers, and have all prescriptions written on your physician's Rx pad.
  • Check to see if it is possible to take enough medication to last your entire stay abroad. Make sure this is okay ahead of time.
  • Note that it is illegal to have additional supplies of any medication sent abroad via postal mail.
  • IF it is possible to take the US prescription and letter from your physician to an English speaking physician in your host country to get a local prescription (keep this information in mind):
  • Prescriptions may need to be translated, be sure these are accurately completed.
  • Do not forget to make sure the proper dosage you need exists in the host country.
  • HTH Worldwide provides an online Drug Translation Guide Demo for 295 brand-name prescription and over-the-counter medicines in 24 frequently visited destinations. Check to see if your destination is included.
  • Disposable Syringes:
  • Research whether or not disposable syringes will pass the security check in the airport.
  • Some countries may restrict the import of syringes.
  • If you are able to take syringes on the plane, leave them with the flight attendant.